The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-11-05
THE IDENTICAL PLACE.
A Fish Story the Truth of Which No II
telIiyent Man VIII Dnnht

NNtN''N<''f
interruption. Late in the afternoon he
burst into the editors den, with his
war part still on, and proudly dangled
fine string of trout before the envious
eyes of the editor and Tompkins, who
was enjoying n smoke with him.
"What do you say to these?" he
asked, trying to appear calm.
They are beauties, and no mistake"
admitted the editor, with the air of one
who makes a great concession.
where did you catch emp" inquired
Tompkins, assuming an Indifferent air
Same old place-up the Boardman,
near the shanty. Don't think l was
more than two hours taking the lot.
This one weighs pound and quarter.
and he was game, tell you"
Did you play him?" asked the
editor.
PLAY him! Well, l should say dill;
and he played me. We had regular
rough and tumble of it for spell, but
| Handed him at last"
Just then he caught sight of Lawyer
Roberts. and rushed off to show him
the fish.
Tompkins and the editor looked ct
each other. One thought was in both
minds. Lets go tomorrow" said
Tompkins; and, Lets start early" said
the editor. Don't let's tell any one
else" said both
The next morning at an unearthly
hour Tompllins stole out of the back
door and hurried over to the editors
house. Under the bedroom window he
gave the signal, but no one seemed to
be stirring, so he went around to The
kitchen door. At the same time a
tramp emerged from behind the barn.
The tramp proved to be the editor
himself in his fishing suit. Tompkins
had on his fishing suit, but he was sure
he did not look as disreputable as the
other. However, both had their best
iointed rods and fine brass reels. Also
flies.
i've been waiting for you over an
hour" said the editor Che had con-
tracted a habit of exaggerationl.
"Have you any worms?'
"A boxful."
Come on then. or the whole town
will be up and see u.s."
So they went. They had the editors
horse and buggy, and drove briskly out
of town.
Though the morning was lovely in
its dewy freshness; though golden-rod
waved in the crisp, cool air and astcrs
nodded their purple heads at them. and
| here and there scarlet branch blazed,
heralding the approach of autumn, the
two fishermen took no note Of any thing
till they reached the old shanty. wher Q
| they tied the horse and then followed
the narrow track down the bluff to the
river.
Il think we had better separate so as
not to interfere with each other" said
the editor. So he fshed one way and
Tompkins the other
About an hour after the editor came
tramping over to where Tompkins was
patiently disengaging his hook from an
old snag, which he had mistaken for d
bite.
Hello, what luclkP" he asked, draw
ing his arm, wet to the shoulder out of
| the water.
20. I've caught one or two sinners"
answered the editor in a disguised way.
"How many have you?"
About the same" putting a fish
worm on his hook and preparing to
drop it into another hole.
The editor sat down on a log and
watched him meditatively. Presently
he said: II declare / should like to
know where the druggist caught those
Yesterday
'Td hate to so back without any
thing" said Tompkins
just then along came barefooted,
tow-hcaded, freckled youngster, with a
miserable little switch for pole. but
the finest string of trout they had set
eyes on in many day.
Again the editor and Tompkins had
"but single thought ~
Hello, Bub,' said the editor,
"whcre did You catch thoseP'
up here apiece" wsts a backw Yard
motion of his frowzzled head.
"What will you take for themo''
asked Tompkins, voicing the editor S
sentiments. ..'
Twelve shillin'."
80, como now. that's pretty steep"
Same as q chap from town paid me
yesterday, an these here are bigger
his'n."
"What kind of q looking chap"
"a Teller with long nose and one OF
these here baboon fish poles. They
amt no account fishing around herr" "
contemptuously.
Tompkins and the editor thought 80
too.
They paid him the ''twelve shillin';"
they wound up their reels, and "stood
not upon the order of their going" but
went ut once.
Not far from the shanty they met
Roberts and the doctor.
Thought we'd have one more chance
ut the trout before the ii mes up" sale
Roberts. "What luck did you have
and why do you not stay Ion l;er?'